Paul Weller: Under the Influence

Paul Weller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 25, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Under the Influence
• ASIN: B0000C3I68
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,409 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Little Richard - Slippin and Slidin'

2. The Headhunters - God Made Me Funky

3. Ritchie Havens - Handouts in the Rain

4. D'Angelo - Devils Pie

5. Charles Mingus - Passions of a Man

6. The Casuals - Jesamine

7. The Winstons - Colour Him Father

8. John Holt - Ali Baba

9. Funkdoobiest - Doobie to the Head

10. Marvin Gaye - Pretty Little Baby

11. Blind Boys of Alabama - Jesus Gonna Be Here

12. The Kinks - Big Black Smoke

13. 5 Stairsteps - We Must Be in Love

14. The Wailers - Small Axe

15. Big Youth - Hit the Road Jack

16. John Coltrane - Ole

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sneaky title aside, Paul Weller: Under the Influence isn't a Weller album at all. Rather, it's a collection of 16 tracks chosen by Weller as long-time or recent favorites--the audio equivalent of Nick Hornby's Songbook. Fortunately, the former Jam and Style Council leader has diverse, appealing tastes.

To be expected from someone his age, Weller includes a lot of rock and soul from the late '60s and '70s. This includes both well-known artists (Marvin Gaye, the Kinks) and obscurities (the psych-pop Casuals, the sweet-soul Winstons). A bit more surprising is the disc's heavy dose of reggae (Bob Marley, of course, but also John Holt and Big Youth). And who would've previously guessed that Weller is a fan of hip-hop and harder R&B (proven here with tracks by Funkdoobiest, D'Angelo, and a greasy mid-'70s jam by the Headhunters).

Two classic jazz tracks--Charles Mingus's "Passions of a Man" and John Coltrane's "Olé"--are worthy picks, but sound a bit out of place. Still, it's hard to fault any collection that finds space for the '70s soul of the Five Stairsteps, the Blind Boys of Alabama covering Tom Waits, and even Richie Havens, represented here by a great 2002 track, "Handouts in the Rain." --Keith Moerer

Product Description

Paul Weller has been making vital music, whether during his time with The Jam, Style Council or solo, for well over two decades in his ever-changing career. His latest studio album Illumination went straight into the UK charts at number one and many critics hailed it as his best work in years. Equally his collection of B sides and rarities Fly On The Wall recently had a welcome release and he has just signed a new deal with V2.

Paul’s music has evolved over the years, and his Under the Influence selection shows the varied artists that have helped to shape the Weller style. From the rock ‘n’ roll of Little Richard to the roots of Ritchie Havens, from the reggae of The Wailers to the soul of Marvin Gaye, Under the Influence Paul Weller helps to understand what inspires the man and makes him tick.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good collection, but a bit misleading, January 8, 2004

By 

Kenneth French (Montclair, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paul Weller: Under the Influence (Audio CD)

From looking at the cover of this CD, you'd think it was a Paul Weller album. It's not. What we have here is Weller's choice of 16 tracks by artists who have influenced him. Confusing matters further is that Weller is apparently working on a covers album at the moment (according to paulweller.com).

Not that this is a bad record--far from it. The mix of rock 'n' roll, soul, funk, reggae, and jazz shows how far-reaching Weller's influences are. His liner notes are clever and informative (he mentions that he deliberately left out the Beatles and the Small Faces, since those influences are obvious in his music). And like all great compilations, this one leaves the listener wanting to hear more from these artists.

He just should have titled it more clearly (e.g., "Paul Weller presents..." or "Chosen by Paul Weller"?).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great insight behind Weller's Music, April 8, 2004

By 

Peter R. Fischer (LA LA Land, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paul Weller: Under the Influence (Audio CD)

I love albums like this. Just like listening to the collection of songs that Tricky selected on "Back to Mine", listening to this album gives you insight into what makes Weller's own music sound like it does. This album combines tunes by various musicians who have influenced Weller from generes such as jazz, funk and rock (and more) which makes sense because they all come out in Weller's own tunes.

If you are like me, and have all the diverse tastes as your own, you will really appreciate this compilation both as an insight into Paul Weller and also as a really cool mix CD on its own.

2 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars dissapointing..., February 15, 2004

By 

Mauricio Rolim Amaro "maumel" (São Paulo, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paul Weller: Under the Influence (Audio CD)

I know no one who appreciates this man's music more than myself.
From the early days of the enraging Jam to the sophisticated eletronic-pop-soulful-bossa nova Style Council to, finally, his latter solo carrer..I like it all. This record, however, does not live up to its expectations. I agree that the selection is one of good taste, but that's all there is to it. The title is misleading, since he does perform any of the songs here, and some of them are a bit difficult to live with. Let's wait on another brillant record from Paul. He deserves it and we do too..